“And Cheese ATL”: Where to Find the Best International Cheese Experiences in Atlanta

If you’ve been searching for “And Cheese ATL”, you’re likely looking for great cheese experiences in Atlanta—whether that’s cheese boards, cheese-forward international dishes, or places to buy specialty cheeses from around the world.

Atlanta has a growing food scene where French, Italian, Spanish, Mediterranean, and other international cuisines put cheese front and center. This guide walks you through where to go, what to try, and how to enjoy the best cheese-focused dishes and boards around the city.

How Cheese Fits Into Atlanta’s International Restaurant Scene

Atlanta’s restaurant scene is strongly influenced by:

• Italian trattorias and pizzerias with fresh mozzarella, burrata, and aged Italian cheeses
• French bistros and wine bars offering classic cheese plates and fondue
• Spanish and Mediterranean spots with manchego, halloumi, feta, and more
• Modern wine bars and neighborhood eateries that build global cheese boards

For someone living in or visiting Atlanta, you’ll find cheese integrated into:

• Cheese boards and charcuterie at wine bars and bistros
• Cheese-driven dishes like raclette, fondue, baked brie, and saganaki
• Market-style counters where you can buy international cheeses to take home

Top Types of International Cheese Experiences in Atlanta

1. Cheese Boards & Charcuterie at Wine Bars

Many of Atlanta’s wine bars and bistros feature build-your-own cheese boards or curated plates that highlight international cheeses. You’ll commonly see:

• French cheeses: brie, camembert, comté
• Italian cheeses: pecorino, gorgonzola, taleggio
• Spanish cheeses: manchego, mahón
• Mediterranean cheeses: feta, halloumi, kasseri

Common add-ons include local or imported cured meats, olives, honey, and nuts, giving you a mix of Atlanta flair and global flavors.

What to ask when you order

• “Do you have rotating or seasonal cheeses?”
• “Can I build a chef’s choice board with a mix of soft, hard, and blue cheeses?”
• “Which cheeses pair best with red/white wine on your list?”

2. International Restaurants Known for Cheese-Centric Dishes

You don’t need a dedicated cheese shop to enjoy world-class cheese in Atlanta. Many international restaurants weave cheese into signature dishes:

Italian Restaurants

Expect:

• Fresh burrata with tomatoes, olive oil, and basil
• Mozzarella and provolone on wood-fired pizzas
• Ricotta-filled pastas like ravioli and lasagna

Look for Italian spots in neighborhoods like Inman Park, Virginia-Highland, Midtown, Buckhead, and West Midtown that mention mozzarella di bufala, burrata, or imported Italian cheeses on their menus.

French Bistros & Cafés

Typical cheese-forward offerings:

• Baked brie or brie en croûte
• Cheese boards with French classics
• Occasional fondue or raclette-style dishes

You’ll often find these at French-inspired spots in Midtown, Inman Park, Old Fourth Ward, and Buckhead.

Spanish & Tapas Bars

Look for:

• Manchego with quince paste
• Cheese and charcuterie tablas
• Dishes featuring goat’s milk cheeses

Tapas destinations around Inman Park, Old Fourth Ward, and Midtown frequently highlight Spanish cheeses as part of their small plates menus.

Mediterranean & Middle Eastern Restaurants

Cheese shows up in:

• Saganaki (flaming Greek cheese)
• Halloumi grilled or pan-seared
• Feta in salads, pastries, and dips

Many Greek, Turkish, and Levantine-style restaurants around Decatur, Midtown, and the northern suburbs offer these cheeses as part of everyday menus.

3. Cheese Shops and Markets: Take-Home International Cheeses

If you’re more interested in buying cheese to enjoy at home or building your own board, several Atlanta markets and specialty grocers stock international selections.

Common options include:

• European-style markets with dedicated cheese counters
• Large grocery stores in Atlanta that carry imported cheeses
• Farmer’s markets with local cheesemakers plus imported products

Look for counters that label cheeses by country of origin (France, Italy, Spain, Greece, Switzerland, etc.) and ask staff to help you mix:

• 1–2 soft cheeses (e.g., brie, camembert, robiola)
• 1–2 hard or semi-hard cheeses (e.g., manchego, comté, aged gouda)
• 1 strong or blue cheese (e.g., gorgonzola, roquefort, stilton-style)

Simple Cheat Sheet: Ways to Enjoy “And Cheese” in Atlanta

How to Order Like a Cheese Lover in Atlanta

When you’re at an Atlanta restaurant or bar that highlights cheese, you can get more out of the experience with a few simple questions and choices.

Ask these questions

• “Do you have any Atlanta- or Georgia-made cheeses on your board?”
• “Which cheese is mildest and which is strongest?”
• “Can you build a balanced selection for two (or four) people?”
• “Is there a cheese pairing you recommend with this wine/beer/cocktail?”

Most Atlanta servers and bartenders at cheese-forward spots are used to these questions and can walk you through the menu in approachable terms.

Tips for building a great board in Atlanta

• Mix local and international: Pair a Georgia goat cheese with French brie, Italian pecorino, or Spanish manchego.
• Balance textures: Include at least one soft, one semi-soft or semi-hard, and one hard cheese.
• Add something sweet and something crunchy: 🍯 Honey or jam + 🥜 nuts or crisp bread make a big difference.
• Portion guide: Many Atlantans find that 2–3 ounces of cheese per person works well for snacking, and more if it’s your main food.

Finding Cheese-Focused Experiences by Neighborhood

Atlanta is spread out, so where you stay or live will shape your options.

Midtown & Old Fourth Ward

Ideal for:

• Wine bars and bistros with curated cheese boards
• French-leaning spots with cheese plates and baked brie
• Easy access to Ponce City Market and surrounding restaurants offering international cheese dishes

You’ll find many places within walking distance or a short rideshare from North Avenue, Midtown, and Civic Center MARTA stations.

Inman Park & Virginia-Highland

Known for:

• Cozy neighborhood spots with international cheese plates
• Italian restaurants featuring burrata, ricotta, and mozzarella
• Tapas and Mediterranean restaurants mixing European and Middle Eastern cheese traditions

These are good neighborhoods if you enjoy walking between multiple stops—you can have a cheese board at one place and dessert at another.

Buckhead

Expect:

• Higher-end steakhouses and European-inspired restaurants that offer cheese plates
• Hotel bars and lounges that sometimes list small cheese boards
• Markets with imported cheeses and specialty products

If you’re staying in a Buckhead hotel, check bar menus for small plates, charcuterie, or cheese boards.

Decatur & Surrounding Eastside Areas

You’ll often find:

• Independent restaurants that weave cheese into creative global menus
• Italian and Mediterranean spots with shareable cheese appetizers
• Access to farmer’s markets that may carry regional and international cheeses

This area is especially convenient if you prefer a more laid-back feel but still want strong international options.

Practical Tips for Enjoying Cheese in Atlanta

Reservations and timing

• Weekends fill up fast at popular wine bars and international restaurants, especially in Midtown, Inman Park, and Buckhead.
• If cheese is your main attraction, ask when the kitchen stops serving boards or small plates, as that can be earlier than the bar’s closing time.

Weather and seating

Atlanta’s weather makes patio seating popular most of the year. Cheese boards usually work well outdoors, but on very hot days:

• Soft cheeses may warm and soften more quickly.
• Ask for a bit of shade or to sit indoors if you want the full presentation to last longer.

Buying cheese to go

If you’re building a cheese board at home in Atlanta:

• Bring a small cooler bag if you’re planning to be out for a while in warm weather.
• Tell the cheese counter how soon you’ll be serving the cheese; they may recommend specific cheeses that travel better.
• Ask for cheeses that match what you’ve enjoyed at local restaurants—staff can often suggest similar styles or origins.

If You’re New to International Cheese, Start Here

For someone in Atlanta just discovering international cheeses, a simple starting plan is:

1. French brie or camembert – Soft, creamy, crowd-pleasing.
2. Spanish manchego – Firm, nutty, familiar even for “non-cheese people.”
3. Italian pecorino or aged gouda – Hard, salty, great with honey or jam.
4. Add a blue cheese only if you’re curious; many Atlanta restaurants are happy to give a small taste before you commit.

Order a cheese board at a wine bar in Midtown or Inman Park and pay attention to what you like best. Then, on your next grocery run or market visit, pick up those styles to recreate the experience at home.

Atlanta may not be the first city people think of for cheese, but its international restaurants, wine bars, and markets make it easy to enjoy everything from French brie to Spanish manchego, Greek saganaki, and Italian burrata. If “And Cheese ATL” brought you here, you’ll find plenty of ways to turn that search into a real, cheese-filled experience across the city.